ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, August 16, 1996 TAG: 9608160027
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
YOUR Aug. 5 editorial (``A town unready to meet suburbia'') regarding the uniqueness of a small town like Fincastle vs. Disney's new planned small town was right on. Disney's worlds are exciting, but most adults are happy to go home after spending some time (and money) there.
We're at a critical point, facing the homogenization and monopolization of our country, but it's not some faceless ``they'' who are bringing this about. If we want to keep our small towns and family-owned businesses, we have to be willing to support them. Every dollar we spend in Wal-Mart says ``build another one.'' Every dollar we spend in a mom-and-pop hardware store or restaurant says ``please stay here.''
When we insist on locally grown food, we get what is freshest, without the environmental costs of shipping it from who knows where. And we keep in business our nearby farmers, who maintain open land around our growing cities. It may cost a little more now to support local businesses, but they may soon be the only competition around - if they are around.
In essence, we're voting for our future with our pocketbooks. Are there enough of us voting for the unique?
VICKI DUNAWAY
WILLIS
Give women access to harm's way
HOW CAN ``equal rights'' be the same for men and women at Virginia Military Institute and The Citadel when the rules have to be bent to meet women's standards?
I can't see my tax dollars going to build separate quarters for women. Their heads should be shaved just like the men, and the women should use the same quarters and showers as men.
The Citadel said women could use ``conservative'' lipstick and clear nail polish. Wouldn't it be cute to see a woman's face out on maneuvers all covered with camouflage paint and lipstick, too?
If women want equal rights in the military, then they should have to serve in the trenches just like the men. For every woman who serves in the rear area, that puts more men at the front in harm's way. If you ask me, the men should holler discrimination!
Also, women should be fixed so they can't become pregnant. In the Persian Gulf War, one whole airplane-load of women got pregnant to get out of harm's way. In Bosnia, about 70 women got pregnant to also get out of harm's way. The men didn't have the luxury to get out of harm's way. Looks like this is discrimination against the men.
If women want to be equal with men and just like men in the military, then let's make it 100 percent equal for both sexes, and stop making special provisions for the women.
CARL R. PADGETT
ROANOKE
`Extra Credit' is very newsworthy
WHAT A delight it is to read your ``Extra Credit'' columns in your Extra section. When so many of our youth are put down, it's great to know there are still a good number of our teen-agers who are interested in using their time and talents wisely.
I wish to compliment your staff for making this a newsworthy item. Why not do it weekly?
JALENE BUCK
CLOVERDALE
Keeping mum isn't the Christian way
I HOPE Henry Emmerson will be so condescending as to hear what a "mere parrot" has to say about his Aug. 11 letter to the editor, "Political pandering on school prayer."
I believe in student-initiated school prayers, but he seems to think Christians should be incognito agents of God who carefully cover all traces of their belief. Citing Matthew 6:5, Emmerson suggests Christians should only be allowed to pray in private. He says that a Christian's beliefs should remain individual and nonpublic, lest they become like the rich man giving in the temple for others to see.
Who knows? Maybe his Bible says, "Go ye therefore into all nations and keep what I've told you to yourself," but my Bible says, "Go ye therefore and make disciples of all the nations." Our Lord said that Christians were to be as a city set on a hill - a light for the surrounding world to see.
Emmerson seems to think that all Christians who practice their beliefs in public are self-serving hypocrites. But Christ said, "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). Unlike the rich man in the temple, Christians are to publicly glorify God in a spirit of humility and praise.
How can I keep the precious love of Christ to myself? I owe so much to Jesus! The very least I can do is proclaim the glory of his name. "I believe therefore I have spoken" (2 Corinthians 4:13).
IAN DUNCAN
SALEM
LENGTH: Medium: 92 linesby CNB